Subtropical Atlantic sea-cliffs and rocky shores

Description (English)

Sea-cliffs, their faces, ledges and associated caves, rocky shores and isolated seaside rocks of the subtropical zone of the Atlantic, including the Canary Islands, Madeira, the Azores, the Mediterraneo-Atlantic coasts of Iberia, the Mediterraneo-Atlantic and Saharo-Atlantic coasts of Africa, south to Cap Blanc. A major zone of upwelling developed along the north African coast and the Canary Islands enhances their value as important breeding and resting places for marine birds and mammals. Their caves harbour the two remaining Atlantic subpopulations of the gravely endangered Monk Seal Monachus monachus, endemic to this region and the next, those of Madeira and of the Cap Blanc coasts. Calonectris diomedea borealis, Larus cachinnans atlantis, Phalacrocorax carbo maroccanus, Phalacrocorax aristotelis riggenbachi are seabirds endemic to the region for which cliffs and rocky shores provide an important breeding habitat.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification